Marteau : The Heat Wave
Wednesday, 10 - Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Ludovic Ballouard, Upside Down

Lot Details

What You Should Know: The Ludovic Ballouard Upside Down is one of the most recognizable independent watches ever made, with a display system unlike anything else in high-end horology. Its signature complication keeps every hour numeral upside down except the current hour, creating a constantly shifting dial that turns time into mechanical theatre. Despite its playful appearance, the watch is extremely serious watchmaking, powered by a complex manual-wind movement with 51 jewels and exceptional hand-finishing. In Their Own Words: “Because I am originally from Brittany, I wanted my very first Upside Down to represent my homeland in a subtle and almost subliminal way. Brittany is famous for its ever-changing weather, with grey skies suddenly interrupted by bursts of sunshine. We often say that in Brittany, you can experience all four seasons in a single day. My very first Upside Down featured a monochrome dial, which was certainly not the most obvious choice for a debut watch, but to me it perfectly embodied the Breton sky. The movement, meanwhile, is finished in yellow and decorated with what we call a soleillage finish. To me, it represents the sun that is always hiding behind those grey clouds. The case was designed with soft, rounded forms throughout — even the lugs and buckle feature gentle curves — as a tribute to the pebbles scattered along Brittany’s beaches. The inverted concave profile on the case flanks was not chosen by chance either. Much like the spoons we used to look into as children, where our reflections appeared upside down, the polished sides of the case create the same effect when you look at yourself in them. Very few people know these details, but every aspect of the Upside Down’s design was inspired by elements found in nature.” - Ludovic Ballouard, Founder and master watchmaker of Ludovic Ballouard.